Kiptum is the third fastest marathoner in the world.
Obscure long-distance runner Kelvin Kiptum wants to outshine the bigwigs when he lines up for the London Marathon on Sunday, April 23.
Kiptum made his full marathon debut at last year’s Valencia Marathon where he stunned the masses to win the race recording the third fastest time in the marathon history (2:01:35).
World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge is the fastest marathoner in the world (2:01:09) followed by Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia (2:01:41).
“I came to London for a win…that’s my target. I’m not ready to go for a world record, but I’ve come to win in London,” Kiptum bullishly said.
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Amane Beriso and Kelvin Kiptum stun the marathon world with victories in Valencia
Ethiopia's Amane Beriso and Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum, ran record-breaking times for victories in Valencia.
In the men’s elite field, Kiptum is the second fastest behind Bekele and he revealed that he is not afraid of the big names that will grace the event as his target is already set.
The 2019 Belfort Half Marathon has also set his sights at the World Championships and hopes to make his Team Kenya debut come August. The World Championships are slated for August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary.
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He is the 12th fastest in the field with a personal best time of 2:05:23.
“If I get selected to participate at the global event I will be more than willing to compete,” he said.
Speaking about his experience at the Valencia Marathon, Kiptum said he didn’t expect to post the time but he revealed that he had run some good times over the half marathon and he was optimistic. His personal best time over the half marathon distance stands at 58:42.
He also expressed his excitement to be racing alongside four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah.
“I saw Mo Farah when I was young and he is a great athlete. I used to say, ‘I will compete with Mo Farah one day’, so I’m very excited to race with him,” he said.